Shoe-polishing machine.



J. N. WOOD.

SHOE POLISHING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION 11.21) 111111: 12, 1908. RENEWED SEPT. 15, 1911. 1,024,544.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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J. N. WOOD.

' SHOE POLISHING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 190B. RENEWED sum. 15, 1911.

1,024,544, Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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WIT/VB Q I [NVE/VTOR 2, W Alfomeye FOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0-. WASHINGTON, D. c.

J. N. WOOD.

SHOE POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 12, 1908. RENEWED SEPT. 15, 1911.

I; JNVENTOR Mm Aflgrhey Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1908. RENEWED SEPT. 15, 1911. 1,024,544.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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J. N. WOOD.

SHOE POLISHING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED mm: 12, 1908. RENEWED SEPT. 15, 1911. 1,024,544.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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INVENTOR WM co LUMn1A PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. l). c.

J. N. WOOD. I SHOE POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1908. RENEWED SEPT. 15, 1911.

1,024,544. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

INVENTOR A Jan a Atforneya COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CO.,WA$IIINGTON, u. c.

JAMES N. WOOD, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL MACHINE CO'RIPOIRA ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TION, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

SHOE-POLISHING- MACHINE.

Application filed June 12, 1908, Serial N 0. 438,227.

To all whom ii may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs NELsoN WOOD, citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henricoand' State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe- Polishing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the best form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention with the exterior casing shown section and partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine as shown in Fig. 1, the brushes for polishing the right shoe being removed. Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of one half of the machine showing the carrying chain or conveyer for moving the brush carriages. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the power transmitting chain for applying power to the brush operating mechanism of the carriages, during a portion of their travel. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the brush carriages detached from the machine. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the supporting plate of the carriage. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of one of the brush carriages. Fig. 10 is a front elevation of one of the carriages. Fig. 11 is a partial side elevation of the brush carriage carrying the dauber, and paste receptacle. Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the paste receptacle. Fig. 13 is a detail of the perforated feed plate of the paste receptacle. Fig. 14 is an elevation, partly in section, of one of the carriages showing a modification. Fig. 15 is a detail view of the current collecting mechanism shown in Fig. 14. a

The object of my invention is to provide Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912. Renewed September 15, 1911. Serial No. 649,560.

a mechanism or apparatus for automatically polishing boots or shoes, while worn upon the feet and it comprises among its members a pair of endless tracks each surrounding a foot support and provided with a plurality of movable brush carrying devices or carriages each comprising a carriage frame capable of sliding upon said track and a brush supporting device so mounted that the brush carried thereby is capable of being driven while in engagement with the shoe or boot to be polished and so supported as to be movable with respect to the track to enable it to conform to the shape of the boot or shoe as it passes over the same. I prefer to provide four of these brush carriages for each track (although a larger or smaller number may be employed), one of which is provided with a paste receptacle adjacent to its brush to contain the polishing material preferably in a semi-liquid or paste form. The brush carriages are moved successively around their respective tracks, and while the brushes are in contact with the shoe or boot, they are rotated by suitable mechanism at a high speed, thus polishing the boots or shoes on both feet of the wearer, simultaneously. In the machine herein described and shown the four brushes for each track perform successively the operations of cleaning the shoes, applying the polishing material, preliminarily polishing and finally polishing.

The machine is preferably inclosed in a suitable casing to protect it, and a chair is conveniently supported on top of this casing for the person having his shoes polished. This casing is indicated in section, and partly broken away in Fig. 1 of the drawings to facilitate the showing of the mecha nism.

The main frame of' the machine comprises the front and rear transversely disposed supporting frames A, A connected by a central bar or spreader A and carrying two longitudinally disposed frames A A to each of which are secured the upper and lower elliptical rails I, I forming the carriage supporting track.

At the rear end of the machine are a pair of vertical shafts C, C each of which extends up through one of the transverse frames A and is mounted in suitable bearings therein and in the rear transverse frame A. Each of these shafts is provided near its lower end with a large gear wheel 0, which meshes with a central pinion c on a central vertical shaft or stud a carrying also a bevel pinion (1 meshing in turn with a bevel pinion (Z on a driving shaft D, which extends horizontally below the plane of the longitudinal frames A A Power may be applied to the driving shaft D from any suitable source. In this instance I have shown an electric motor M for driving the shaft D, the motor or armature shaft being connected by a belt at with a pulley m on a speed reducing shaft m carrying a pinion m meshing with a gear wheel (Z on the drive shaft D, as best seen in Fig. 2, to operate the shaft D at the desired speed.

at the front end of the machine, are located two vertical shafts E, E supported in suitable bearings, and each provided with a sprocket wheel E and a grooved wheel E, one being placed above the other as shown in F l and. The sprocket wheel E and grooved wheel E are preferably mounted loosely on the shaft as they do not operate at the same speed. Below each of the transverse frames A and between the front and rear ends thereof are vertical shafts F, F each provided with a large gear wheel f keyed thereto, and meshing with a central gear wheel. f on a vertical shaft or stud f which rotates with a bevel pinion meshing with a bevel pinion (Z on the drive shaft D, (see Fig. 1).

The rear vertical shafts C, C each carrying a sprocket wheel C, (see Fig. I) and two sprocket chains G, G connect sprocket wheels C, C with sprocket wheels E, E passing in a straight line on one side of the adjacent frame A and on the other side being deflected inward toward the rear of the machine over idle wheels or rollers g and g, the latter being conveniently made adjustable as shown to take up any slack in the chain. The portions of the chain which are parallel with the sides of the fame A slide in a groove or way, havin g top, bottom and rear walls, as indicated at and secured to or formed integrally with the frame A. The chain G I term the endless carrier and while I prefer to employ a sprocket chain for this purpose I do not limit myself to its use.

Each of the vertical intermediate shafts F is provided with a sprocket wheel I, (see Fig. and a driving or power transmitting chain II connects each of the sprocket wheels F and the grooved wheel E in front of the same. The sprocket wheel F is of less diameter than the wheel E and the lateral portions of chain H are held in lines parallel with a line connecting the axes of said wheels, by guide ways it h each of which is provided at its rear end with a spring plate h extending in rear of the chain to reinforce it between the end of the guide and the sprocket wheel F The construction of the apparatus carried by the longitudinal frames A*, A is identical and, therefore, a description of one of these mechanisms will be suflicient.

I, I represent the upper and lower rails of an elliptical track extending entirely around the fame A and adapted to guide and support the brush carriages here shown as being four in number. Each of these carriages is identical with the others except as to certain details of the carriage carrying the dauber and paste receptacle and which will be particularly noted, hence a description of one of these carriages will be sutIicient for all. One of these carriages is shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive. In these figures I1 represents the carriage frame provided on its inner face with grooved rollers Z (preferably four in number) for engaging the upper and lower track rails I, I. The upper rollers Z are carried on a vertically movable slide Z, mounted preferably in dovetail guides on plate L, and pressed upwardly by a spring Z By depressing the slide Z by hand the carriage frame can be placed in engagement with or removed from the track. The carriage frame or plate L is also provided with a lug, projection or bracket L on the same side as the rollers Z to be engaged as hereinafter described by a conveying projection Gr On the sprocket chain or endless carrier G (see Fig. 4). The carriage frame L is provided on its outer face with two perforated lugs Z Z" one above the other. In the aperture of the lower lug is a rotatable sleeve Z held against vertical movement by collars Z", Z and pro vided at its lower end with a pinion Z Each of the carriage frames is provided with a brush supporting device comprising the following members: A vertical shaft Z extends through the sleeve Z and is secured to rotate with the sleeve by a long key or feather Z (see Fig. 9) so as to permit the shaft to move bodily upward without disengaging said sleeve, and said shaft extends upward through the aperture in lug Z. Z represents a gear case or frame having a bearing sleeve Z engaging the upper end of shaft Z and resting on the lug Z, and said gear case is also provided with a bearing sleeve Z extending horizontally at right angles with the sleeve Z. The shaft Z is provided within the gear case with a bevel pinion Z meshing with a bevel pinion Z on a horizontal shaft Z which extends through the sleeve Z and a similar sleeve Z on a gear case or frame Z where it is provided with a bevel pinion Z. The pinion Z meshes with a similar pinion Z on a vertical shaft Z mounted in the gear case Z", and carrying at its upper end a brush P,

which is detachably secured to the shaft by a'screw connection p, and locked by a set screw 9. It will be seen that the brush P can swing laterally on the shaft Z as a center, and can also rock or tilt as required on shaft 1, while it can be rotated by means of the pinion Z and the intermediate connections just described. The gear case Z" is provided on one face with a pair of guiding rollers Z, Z (Figs. 7 and 10) which are adapted to engage a vertically disposed guide rail N having a face of considerable depth vertically and secured on top of the longitudinal frame A This guide rail has a portion extending substantially centrally and longitudinally along the top of said frame A and terminating at the rear end in a loop portion n to facilitate the movement of the carriages around the end of the frame.

Adjacent to the front end of the frame A I provide a shoe supporting device which in this instance comprises a block Q, upon the top face of which is secured a shoe rest Q. The block Q is arranged substantially in line with the guide rail N and is provided with a narrow rear portion having a vertically disposed grinding surface 9 on both sides and around the rear of the same, and said block has a rounded front portion of greater width extending forward of the shoe rest, and provided with a beveled or inclined surface or shoulder 9 adjacent to its upper surface. The guide rail N is provided with a hinged part at having its free end immediately in rear of the heel portion of block Q, which hinged portion is normally held in alinement with the main part of the guide rail by a spring 12 but is permitted to yield in either direction, until arrested by stops 12 It follows from this construction that as any one of the brushes is moved toward the front of the machine with one of its rollers Z in engagement with the guide rail N, when said roller Z reaches the pivoted part n, the latter will yield until arrested by one of the stops n and permit the brush to move transversely across the rear of the heel of the shoe to be polished. The roller 21 will then engage the rear curved surface 9 of the block Q, and will be guided outwardly around the rear of the heel portion of the shoe, and along the side of the shoe toward the toe portion. As the brush returns along the other side of the shoe after passing around the toe, and polishing it, as hereinafter described, the roller Z will engage and follow the guiding surface 9 on the other side of the block until the heel is reached when it will swing laterally around the heel of the shoe, the part 72 yielding in the opposite direction until arrested by the other stop n The further movement of the carriage toward the rear will cause the roller Z to pass along the part 01. until it reaches the guide rail N, and thence along the guide rail N. It will thus be seen that each of the brushes will pass around the rear of the heel portion of the shoe twice, at every operation of the machine, thus insuring that the rear part of the heel will be as thoroughly cleaned and polished as any other part of the shoe. As the carriage is drawn around the track I, I by the carrier chain G, the shaft Z is swung inward and held in position with one of the rollers Z in engagement with the guide rail, by springs Z secured at their lower ends to the plate L and at their upper ends engaging projections on the gear case 1 The inclination of the brush shaft Z is limited in both directions by stop pins Z which are adapted to engage a stop bar Z secured to the gear case Z (see Figs. 6 and 7 in position to be engaged by said stops. In order to force the brush inward and hold it in proper relation with the heel and side of the foot, I provide the gear case Z with a friction roll or projection Z on the under side of the same, which engages an irregular shaped guide rail 0 (see Fig. 2) secured to the top of the frame A and having a portion conforming to and located a short distance from the side face g of the block Q, against which the roller Z rolls immediately forward of the pivoted guide rail section a. When the brush has passed along the side of the shoe or boot to be polished it is necessary that it should fall over into an almost horizontal position as it passes over the toe portion. In order to accomplish this result the brush supporting device must be raised, and to this end I employ a curved and inclined cam rail R which is curved around the front portion of the foot block and has an inclined upper face or grade 1, which is engaged by a roll or stud Z secured to a bracket beneath the gear case Z thus raising the gear cases and brush, the shaft Z sliding vertically in the sleeve Z and lug Z to permit this movement, and permitting the brush to fall over upon the toe portion of the shoe, the beveled shoulder g of the block Q, engaging the guiding rollers Z Z as the brush passes over the toe of the shoe. I also prefer to provide means for positively depressing the brush supporting device after the brush has passed around the toe of the shoe, and to this end I employ a cam rail'S (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) supported by brackets s, s from the frame of the machine, which rail engages a roll or stud Z on the sleeve Z and thus serves to depress the parts to their normal position while passing around the other side portion and around the heel of the shoe to complete the cycle of movement.

It will be understood that the brush P is rotated only while passing around the shoe and during the remainder of the travel of the carriage the brush is not operated.

Supposing the carriage to be moving from the rear of the machine toward the front in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, as soon as it reaches the power transmitting chain H which is driven at considerably higher speed than the carrier chain G, the sprocket wheel Z will engage the chain H and instantly the brush will be rotated at high speed, and will continue to rotate so long as the sprocket wheel Z and the chain H are in engagement. In order to avoid any tendency of the sprocket wheel to loose its engagement with the chain when the carriage begins to take the curve of the track I, 1 around the front of the foot block, I provide a guard rail T to engage the outer side of a roller or stud F on the carriage, pref erably on the lower side of the lug Z". This guard rail may be extended around the front of the foot block if desired but I find it sufiicient to employ it in the position shown laterally of the part of the track where the front curve begins.

The dauber carriage is constructed and operates substantially as just described, except for a few slight variations illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive, which will now be described. The gear case Wofthe dauber carriage, is provided with supports a it pro-' jecting above the sameand carrying a paste receptacle or box U having a convex front plate a shown in detail in Fig. 13, provided with horizontally disposed slits a through which the semi-liquid polish is pressed. The brush P revolves at slower speed than the polishing brushes, in contact with the plate a and receives the paste through these slits, and the lateral edges a of the plate are given a convex outward curvature to facilitate the action of the brush and also providing non-perforated portions which assist in equalizing the paste on the brush as it revolves in contact therewith. The paste is forced or fed through the slits in plate a by a plunger plate a", which is acted on by a screw to, engaging a threaded aperture in the rear wall of the paste box and provided with a star wheel a which is adapted to engage a fixed trip if (see Fig. 2) on the frame of the machine, thus turning the screw a part of a revolution each time the dauber carriage passes around the track, and insuring an even and regulated feed of the paste or polish. I prefer to pro vide the dauber with a coiled spring a interposed between the gear cases Z and Z to positively hold the dauber inclined toward the guide rail, and such spring may be employed on the other carriages if desired, although I do not find it. necessary.

The operation of the machine is as follows. The several carriages preferably four in number, are placed on the track adjacent to that part of the carrier chain where it is deflected inward by the idle wheels 9,

g. The motor being started the projection G on the chain G will engage the bracket L of the rearmost carriage and move it around the rear port-ions of the track and thence toward the front of the machine. As soon as the pinion Z reaches the power transmitting chain H the brush will be rotated and the various guiding and controlling means will cause the brush to follow the configuration of the shoe which rests on the shoe rest Q on top of the block Q, passing around the rear of the heel, as before described, owing to the action of the yielding part a, of the guide rail N,thence along the side of the foot, over the toe, thence along the other side of the foot and around the rear of the heel. The carriage being then carried beyond the influence of the power transmitting chain the brush stops rotating and the carriage which travels at low rate of speed strikes the foremost carriage in the line and pushes all the carriages rearward the width of one carriage when the inward deflection of the carrier chain causes the lug G to release the carriage, passing by the intervening carriage to the last in the line which is engaged and carried around the track in the same manner.

In practice I prefer to provide one carriage for dry brushing the dust from the shoe, the next carriage carries the dauber and applies the paste or polish and the two succeeding carriages carry brushes for drying and polishing the shoe. As shown in Fig. 2, however, the brushes are illustrated in the position they would occupy immediately after the dauber brush has been caused to travel around the track, to apply paste to the shoe. Any desired number of carriages and brushes may be employed, and one or more may be provided with receptacles for cleaning or polishing materials as desired.

In some instances 1 may dispense with the power transmitting chain altogether and provide each carriage with an independent motor, such as an electric motor, which may be employed also for propelling the carriage around the track. In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown a modification of the carriage in which the box'Z is provided with a motor V, incased therein. and connected by reducing gears o with the shaft Z for driving the rotary brush P. In this case the vertical shaft Z is not provided with a sleeve and sprocket wheel at its lower end. said. shaft Z being fixed in its bearings and engaging at its upper end a sleeve Z which has a pivotal and vertical sliding movement on the shaft, as shown in Fig. 14. Lug Z is provided with a pair of current collecting shoes 7/, e which engage the charged rail W and return rail W insulated from each other as at w and supported. suitably from the machine frame.

The other parts of the apparatus are constructed and operate as previously described.

In some instances I find it desirable to employ a guide rail 0 (see Fig. 2) on the side of each frame A opposite to the guide rail 0 to engage the roller Z to hold the brushes in operative relation with the heel portion of the shoe, and insure their passing around the rear of the heel (through the operation of the yielding section n of the guide rail N.) I also prefer to employ a short guide rail 0 adjacent to the trip a as shown in Fig. 2 to steady the dauber brush support as the star wheel it engages said trip. I also prefer to provide means for stopping the motor after the entire series of brushes have performed their operations, and have returned to normal position, in order that it shall not be necessary for an attendant, if one is employed, to watch the apparatus. In this instance I have shown a controlling switch Y Fig. 1 for the circuit of the motor M, mounted beneath one of the frames A the movable member thereof being provided with an arm 3 extending upwardly into the path of a lug or projection 2/ provided on the carriage carrying the final polishing brush, so that after this carriage is moved around the track and returns to its position in the line of carriages the projection 3 will engage the arm y moving it in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, and operate the switch to automatically break the motor circuit and stop the operation of the machine. The circuit for the motor may be restored by hand or otherwise when desired.

It is obvious that with any of the constructions described, I may also attach a coin operated controlling device of ordinary or preferred construction for starting the motor M (or charging the rail WV) as the case may be, thus enabling the device to be operated without an attendant when it is desirable to do so.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is 1. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, a traveling brush carriage movable around the same, means for guiding the brush carriage in its travel around the shoe support, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable part, and a tilting rotatable part pivotally connected with the vertically movable part, a rotary brush carried by said tilting part, means for elevating said vertically movable part during a portion of the travel of the brush carriage and means for rotating the said tilting part to secure the rotation of the brush, substantially as described.

2. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a traveling brush carriage, means for guiding the same around the shoe support, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable rotatable part, and a tilting rotatable part pivotally and operatively connected to said vertically movable part, a rotatable brush carried by said tilting part, a stationary part in the path of the traveling brush carriage, adapted to engage a part connected with the vertically movable part to elevate the brush and means for rotating the said vertically movable part to impart rotary mot-ion to the brush, substantially as described.

3. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a traveling brush carriage, means for guiding the same around the shoe support, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable rotatable part, and a tilting rotatable part pivotally and operatively connected to said vertically movable part, a rotatable brush carried by said tilting part, means for elevating the said vertically movable part during a portion of its travel, stationary guiding means engaging said tilting part and means for rotating the brush carried thereby, substantially as described.

4. In a shoe polishing machine, the com bination with a shoe support, of a traveling brush carriage, means for guiding the-same around the shoe support, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable rotatable part, and a tilting rotatable part pivotally and operatively connected thereto, a rotatable brush carried by said tilting part, a stationary guide having portions for maintaining said tilting part in substantially vertical position, during part of the travel of said brush carriage, a stationary cam for engaging a part connected with'the said vertically movable part for elevating it and said tilting part, and a stationary guide adjacent to said stationary device for holding the said tilting part in position to enable it to properly engage the toe portion of a shoe on said support, substantially as described.

5. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a rigid track arranged around the same, a carriage frame mounted thereon and movable around said track, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame and provided with a rotatable part movable vertically with respect to the carriage frame, and a tilting rotatable part pivotally and operatively connected to said vertically movable part, a revoluble brush carried by said tilting part, means for elevating said vertically movable part and said tilting part during a portion of the travel of said carriage frame, and means for rotating said vertically movable part to secure the rotation of the brush, substantiallyas described.

6. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a traveling brush carriage, rigid means for guiding the same around the shoe supporting device, said brush :arriage being provided with a vertically movable rotatable part and a rotary brush movable laterally with respect to said shoe support and said vertically movable part. and operatively connected with said vertically movable part, and pivctally supported with respect to said vertically movable part, means for elevating said vertically movable part and said brush during a portion of its travel, and means for imparting rotary motion to said vertically movable part to secure the rotation of said brush, substantially as described.

7. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, a traveling brush carriage, means for guiding the same around the shoe support, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable part, a horizontally movable part pivotally connected thereto, a tilting brush pivotally connected to said horizontally movable part, means for elevating the said vertically movable part said horizontally movable part and said brush, during a portion of their travel, and means for imparting rotary motion to said brush, substantially as described.

8. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track extending around the same, a carriage frame engaging said track, means for propelling said carriage around the track, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage and provided with a vertically movable part, and a tilting part having a pivotal connection with said vertically movable part, a brush carried by said tilting part, means for imparting rotary motion to said brush, a cam rail located. adjacent to the shoe supporting device, in the path of the carriage frame and a part connected with the vertically movable part of said brush supporting device, for engaging said cam rail and elevating the brush supporting device and brush, substantially as described.

9. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a traveling brush carriage, rigid means for guiding the same around the shoe supporting device, said brush carriage being provided with a vertically movable rotatable part, and a tilting part pivotally and operatively connected to said vertically movable part, a rotatable brush carried by said tilting part, means for elevating the said vertically movable part, during a portionof its travel, means for imparting rotary motion to the vertically movable part to secure the rotation of the brush, and means for positively depressing the said vertically movable part, substantially as described.

10. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of an endless track surrounding the same, a traveling carriage frame mounted on said track, a vertically movable brush supporting device, comprising a vertically movable part engaging said carriage frame, and a tilting revoluble brush pivotally connected with said vertically movable part, a cam rail for elevating said brush supporting device during a portion of the travel of said carriage frame, and a second cam rail for positively depressing said brush supporting device, substantially as described.

11. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track surrounding the same, a traveling carriage frame mounted on said track, means for moving the carriage frame around the shoe support, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame and comprising a part movable vertically with respect to the carriage frame, and a tilting part having a pivotal connection with said vertically movable part, a rotary brush carried by said tilting part, means for rotating said brush, devices having a vertically disposed guiding surface for engaging said tilting part to hold it substantially vertical during a part of the travel of the carriage frame, a cam rail for elevating the brush supporting device during a portion of the travel of the carriage frame, and a device having an inclined guiding surface adjacent to said cam rail for engaging and guiding the tilting part while it is in raised position, substantially as described.

12. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a stationary shoe support, of a track extending around the same, a carriage frame movable upon said track, a brush supporting device carried by said car riage frame and having a laterally movable portion, a rotary brush carried by said laterally movable portion, and vertically disposed guiding devices for engaging a part connected with the laterally movable portion of the brush supporting device including a laterally yielding portion and a spring normally holding said yielding part in line with adjacent portions of said guiding devices, substantially as described.

13. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a stationary shoe support, of a track extending around the same, a carriage frame movable upon said track, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame and provided with a laterally movable portion, a rotary brush carried by said laterally movable portion, vertically disposed guiding devices for engaging a part connected with the laterally movable portion of the brush supporting device, including a yielding portion, and a guide rail for engaging a part connected with the laterally movable portion of said brush supporting device for forcing it to engage and actuate said yielding portion, substantially as described.

14. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support provided laterally with guiding surfaces, and a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction from one end of said shoe support and pro vided adjacent thereto with a movable portion capable of yielding in both directions, of a track extending around said shoe supporting device, a carriage frame movable upon said track, a brush supporting device carried thereby, and provided with a laterally swinging portion having means for engaging said guiding surfaces and guide rail, and a revoluble brush carried by said laterally movable portion of the brush supporting device, substantially as described.

15. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support provided with vertically disposed guiding surfaces around its sides and heel portion and an inclined guiding surface around its toe portion, a guide rail extending from the heel portion of said block in a longitudinal direction and provided with a laterally movable part adjacent to the said heel portion, capable of yielding in both directions, a track surrounding said shoe support, a carriage frame mounted upon said track, a brush supporting device movable vertically with respect to said carriage frame, and provided with a laterally swinging part, and a tilting part pivotally connected thereto and provided with means for engaging said guiding surfaces and guide rail, a revoluble brush carried by the tilting portion of said brush supporting device, a cam rail adjacent to the toe portion of said shoe support for elevating said brush supporting device, means for propelling the carriage around said track and means for imparting rotary motion to said brush, substantially as described.

16. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support and a track surrounding the same, of a traveling carriage frame mounted on said track, a vertically movable rotatable shaft carried by said carriageframe, a tilting brush pivotally connected to, and operatively connected with said shaft, driving mechanism for said shaft, connected thereto by means permitting the vertical movement of said shaft, and means for elevating said vertically movable shaft and brush during a portion of the travel of the carriage frame around the shoe support, substantially as described.

17. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track extending around the same, a carriage frame engaging the track, means for causing the travel of said carriage, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame and having a part movable vertically with respect thereto and a tilting part pivotally connected to the vertically movable part, a revoluble brush carried by said tilting part, a driving wheel mounted on said carriage frame, connections between said driving wheel and said brush permitting the elevation of said brush supporting device with out disengagement of said connections, a power transmitting device adjacent to the path of travel of said carriage, for engaging the said driving wheel, and means for elevating said brush supporting device during a part of the travel of said carriage, sub stantially as described.

18. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track surrounding the same, a carriage frame mounted on said track, an endless carrier for moving said carriage frame upon said track, a power transmitting chain, operated at a different speed from said carrier, a vertically movable brush supporting device connected with said carriage frame and having a laterally swinging part and a tilting part pivotally connected therewith, a revoluble brush carried by said tilting part, a driving wheel mounted on said carriage frame in position to engage the power transmitting chain, operative connections between the driving wheel and brush, permitting the elevation of said brush supporting device without disengagement of said connections, guiding devices for said brush supporting device, a cam rail adjacent to portions of said shoe support for elevating said brush supporting device, and means for positively depressing said brush supporting device, substantially as described.

19. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track surrounding the same and comprising upper and lower rails, a carriage frame provided with rollers for engaging said rails, certain of said rollers being movable to permit the carriage frame to be engaged with and dis engaged from the track, a spring holding said movable rollers in operative position, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame, a revoluble brush carried by said brush supporting device, means for propelling said carriage frame along said track and means for rotating said brush, substantially as described.

20. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track surrounding the same, a. traveling carriage frame mounted on said track, a vertically disposed and vertically movable shaft mounted on the carriage frame, a driving wheel mounted on said carriage frame and connected with said shaft by means permitting the longitudinal movement thereof without disengaging said wheel, a laterally swinging horizontally disposed shaft connected for rotation with said vertically disposed shaft, means for supporting said horizontal shaft in proper relation to said vertical shaft, a vertically disposed shaft operatively connected with the outer end of said horizontal swinging shaft, and capable of tilting laterally with respect thereto, means for supporting said tilting shaft in proper relation to said laterally swinging shaft, a revoluble brush carried by said vertically disposed tilting shaft, and means located adjacent to the shoe support for elevating said shafts and brush with respect to the carriage frame, substantially as described.

21. In a shoe polishing machine, the com tending around the same, a carriage frame bination iwth a shoe support, of a track exmovable upon the track, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame, a rotary brush carried by said brush supporting device, a receptacle for polishing material supported adjacent to the brush and provided adjacent thereto with perforations, a feeding device for the material in said receptacle, devices carried by the carriage frame for operating the said feeding device and a stationary trip located adjacent to the path of the carriage frame for automatically actuating said operating devices, substantially as described.

22. In a shoe polishing machine, the combination with a shoe support, of a track eX- tending around the same, a carriage frame movable upon said track, a brush supporting device carried by said carriage frame, a rotary brush carried by said brush supporting device, a receptacle for polishing material supported adjacent to the brush and provided adjacent thereto with perforations, a feeding plunger in said receptacle, means for advancing said plunger including a rotary part, an operating device for said rotary part carried by the receptacle, and a trip in the path of the said operating device for automatically actuating the same, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES N. IVOOD. \Vitnesses L, P. iirrairun, J. K. MOORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

